Support for Parents and Carers of Young People with a Learning Difficulty and/or Disability
If you are the parent or carer of a young person with a learning difficulty and/or disability, then you might find these resources of help...
Help from Youth Connexions Hertfordshire
Click here to view/download a guide to the services Youth Connexions can offer..
A Learning Difficulty Assessment is an action plan which sets out the support you will need to help you to continue in education or training after you leave school.
View our local Learning Difficulty Assessment leaflet
NEW MAY 2013: Transition guide
Read or download this major new publication for parents and carers, covering the wide range of support available. It covers planning for the future of your son or daughter, and everything from how to get the most out of meetings to money matters and leisure time.
Help from KIDS East and West Hub
The KIDS East and West HUB services offer information and support to the families of disabled children and young people across Hertfordshire.
For a flyer with information about the service click here
To go to their website click here.
Hertfordshire PASS help with employability
Hertfordshire PASS is a charity dedicated to helping disabled people gain INDEPENDENCE THROUGH SELF DIRECTED SUPPORT.
Hertfordshire PASS has several departments but has recently launched its Support Service. This is a service where staff with disabilities will talk about their experiences to give insight to other members of the public with disabilities. Hertfordshire PASS also has its EmployerABILITY department which is dedicated to helping young people gain skills enabling them to employ and manage their own carers and personal assistants in the future. As a link to this department, the Support Service is happy to refer people who make contact, to other organizations with expertise relating to their query.
The Support Service is contactable by phone: 01438 747455 or Email: support.service@hertspass.com
Specialist Placement Funding
The document below outlines the decision-making procedure for providing funding for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities aged 16 to 25 who wish to continue in Education and Training:
CFS SFYP Placement Funding Procedure, May 2011
PIP - Personal Independence Payment - to replace DLA
The personal independence payment (PIP) will provide help towards some of the extra costs due to having a long term condition arising from ill-health or disability. Awards will be based upon the impact of the disability or health condition on the individual and their ability to live independently. It will replace new claims for disability living allowance (DLA) for people aged 16 or over from April 2013. More information.Newsletter
click here for 'HAND', a regular newsletter for parents and carers
Guide to the Internet
Learning Disabilities, Autism and Internet Safety is a parents guide, produced by Cerebra, Mencap and Ambitious about Autism. It identifies a range of potential risks that children with a learning disability or autism may face when using the internet. It provides parents with advice and resources to help their child safely enjoy and use the internet. Download or read it here.
Youth Work Projects and Activities
Click here for a listing of services including clubs, updated August 2012
Youth Connexions runs many inclusive projects that you can find on the mogozout activity search engine (suitability for young people with a disability is indicated).
CHIPS runs play schemes for children aged 3-19 with additional needs and their siblings at five locations in East Herts and a parent support group in Hertford.
ActOne ArtsBase run inclusive dance projects for all abilities in Ware and Watford.
Would you like to influence services?
Click here to see how parents and carers of disabled children and those with special educational needs are getting involved in improving services in Hertfordshire.
Can we help with any other information?
Any questions? Please contact the Youth Connexions LDD Team's Duty Line, call 01438 844999 (answerphone available) or email LDD.DutyYouthConnexions@hertfordshire.gov.uk